Hadith Explanation

Lawful Earnings

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who lived on lawful earnings, observed my Sunnah, and did not cause mischief to people will be admitted to Jannah.” The people submitted: “O Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam)! There is a great number of such people at the present time.” Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Such people will exist even after me.” [Tirmidhi]

One must not under-estimate the importance of earning a Halaal livelihood. It is not always easy to keep away from income that has some element of Haraam mixed in it. It becomes especially trying when one has dependents to take care of. That is why the reward is no less than Jannah for the one who is mindful of Allah’s defined boundaries and stays within them while trying to feed himself and his family.

A lady was married to a man who worked in a bank, i.e., dealt with financial contracts involving Riba (interest). She asked and encouraged him to find some other work. When he wouldn’t, she started stitching clothes for people to earn a little money herself. She would cook meat for her husband from his income and prepare lentils to feed herself and her children from her own Halaal earned money.

Observing the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) does not only mean observing the Prophet’s code of conduct in praying and fasting, but is suggestive of taking his example as one’s guide in every matter of life and death. Those who do, earn Allah’s pleasure, and are admitted to the Jannah He (subhana wa ta’ala) has prepared for us.